Affordable Housing Initiatives Announced
Assembly Republicans unveiled a package of legislation aimed at addressing affordable housing this week. Wisconsin’s construction of new housing has slowed, and with it the age of the median homebuyer has increased, and the median home price has ballooned. The economic well-being of our state and its residents hinges on homeownership, so this issue must be prioritized. Affordable housing is multifaceted, and this package of bills handles various aspects of the problem.
On the financial side, one bill creates second mortgage loans for first-time home buyers of up to $60,000 at 0% interest to aid with down payments and closing costs. These loans include flexible and tailored repayment plans to sustain the program. Another proposal creates residential tax incremental districts to give municipalities flexibility in addressing barriers to workforce housing by applying a portion of the tax increment from new homes to offset the cost of subdivision development.
Other parts of the package focus on regulatory and zoning issues. One bill requires communities to align comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances to provide clarity and predictability for municipalities, builders, and developers. Another sets out a process for local governments and developers to collaborate throughout the entire process in an effort to prevent costly and destructive delays.
Lastly, the package contains a bill that reasonably delays the deadline for implementing new codes for commercial and multi-family residential buildings. The legislature can no longer prevent the rapid executive enactment of newly proposed codes, so this bill helps control the cost of new housing stock by giving developers and municipalities time for compliance.
More details about the legislation will be released in the coming weeks, and I look forward to supporting these bills in a bipartisan manner.
Meeting Local Agriculture Leaders
[see featured photo above] A big thank you to the Oconto County Farm Bureau for inviting me to attend and speak at their annual meeting this week. Agriculture is a heritage industry of our state and continues to be an essential economic engine today.It was great to meet the members of our community who demonstrate the timeless values of hard work, perseverance, and stewardship of the land. Our farmers provide the economic foundation that is critical to our prosperity and plays a central role in Wisconsin’s identity and way of life.
I am glad to have had the opportunity to recognize the preeminent role that agriculture plays in our daily lives, acknowledge the continued importance of agriculture to rural Wisconsin and our economy, and express my appreciation for our farmers.
Fall Activities in the District
This week marked the official beginning of fall. For those of you looking for family-friendly fall activities in the district, the Oconto County Chamber of Commerce is hosting Harvest Fest this Saturday!
Harvest Fest offers a variety of activities, including craft and vendor booths, a car show, live music, food trucks, and plenty of activities for kids of all ages. I encourage everyone to enjoy this time of year with your friends and family. Click the image below for more information.
2025-2026 Blue Books Available
Wisconsin’s 2025-2026 Blue Books are now available, commemorating our great state with information on state officers, governmental organizations, and all things Wisconsin.
If you would like your own Blue Book, please email my office with your name and mailing address, and we will send you one. You can email my office at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
Follow Along on Facebook
Want to hear more about what’s going on in Madison and the district? Follow my Facebook page for weekly updates and to learn more about bills, events, and efforts I’m involved in. Find my Facebook page here: facebook.com/RepSteffen/.
Contact Me
My office is always available to help with any state-related questions or concerns you may have. You can reach my office at (608) 237-9104, or email me at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
